Chuck E. Cheese tambourines
CPSC Recall #90-031 — January 22, 1990
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 90-031 |
| Recall Date | January 22, 1990 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 21,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Since 1987 these tambourines were sold nationwide through Chuck E. Cheese and Showbiz Pizza Restaurants for approximately $1.50 each. |
Product
Chuck E. Cheese tambourines
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Dennis Foland Inc. Merchandising Service of Campbell, California, is recalling approximately 21,000 Chuck E. Cheese tambourines because of sharp points and small parts. The tambourines being recalled are orange and white with a red, black, yellow and gray picture of Chuck E. Cheese on the top surface and cymbals attached to the side of the tambourine with wire. When the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tested the tambourines in accordance with the regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the plastic tambourine broke and the wire holding the metal cymbals to the side of the tambourine broke off. The cymbals could present a choking hazard and the wire parts could cause puncture or laceration injuries. Since 1987 these tambourines were sold nationwide through Chuck E. Cheese and Showbiz Pizza Restaurants for approximately $1.50 each. To date neither the CPSC nor Dennis Foland Inc. Merchandising Service is aware of any injuries involving the tambourine. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent any possibility of injury. These potentially hazardous toys were identified during a joint CPSC/U.S. Customs Service surveillance program conducted at the Port of San Francisco, California. Consumers having these Chuck E. Cheese tambourines should take them away from children and return them to the Chuck E. Cheese or Showbiz Pizza Restaurant where purchased for a full refund. Consumers who have any questions about the recall should call Dennis Foland Inc. at (909) 930-9900.
Hazard
When subjected to testing, the plastic tambourine broke and the wire holding the metal cymbals to the side of the tambourine broke off. The cymbals could present a choking hazard and the wire parts could cause puncture or laceration injuries.
Incidents & Injuries
To date neither the CPSC nor Dennis Foland Inc. Merchandising Service is aware of any injuries involving the tambourine.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers having these Chuck E. Cheese tambourines should take them away from children and return them to the Chuck E. Cheese or Showbiz Pizza Restaurant where purchased for a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Federal law prohibits the sale of toys with small parts for children under age 3. CPSC uses a standardized small parts cylinder to test whether pieces from a toy can fit entirely inside — if they can, they are considered a choking hazard. Products marketed for children under 3 must not contain any small parts. Beyond the legal requirements, the CPSC and pediatricians recommend keeping all small objects away from children under 4, as the risk of choking extends beyond the formal legal age threshold.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.